EPA Pressures Minnesota to Tackle Nitrate Threat in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is urging Minnesota to take decisive action against alarming levels of nitrate contamination in its drinking water, issuing a formal letter to the state government.

The EPA received an emergency petition in April 2023 under the Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1431, specifically addressing the Southeast Karst Region of Minnesota, encompassing eight counties. The petition, submitted by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and other stakeholders, raised concerns about nitrate contamination in public water systems and underground drinking water sources, posing a substantial risk to public health. In response, the EPA promptly reviewed the petition, collecting information from Minnesota agencies about their efforts to investigate and tackle the nitrate issue.

The EPA's findings revealed that nearly 10,000 residents in the Karst Region face or faced the risk of consuming water exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate. Reports from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture indicated that 12.1% of tested private wells (1,058 wells) surpassed the MCL of 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Several public water systems also registered nitrate levels exceeding the MCL.

Following this assessment, the EPA deemed it necessary to take additional measures to safeguard public health. The agency has mandated that Minnesota develop a comprehensive plan to address contamination and provide education, outreach, and alternative drinking water for residents exceeding the MCL for nitrate. The EPA has requested a response from the state within 30 days, outlining a work plan and the timeline for implementation. The work plan should detail how the state will test drinking water, identify affected individuals, and offer alternative water sources in the Karst Region.

While the immediate focus is on addressing health concerns related to nitrate contamination, the EPA emphasizes that Minnesota must also formulate and implement a long-term solution to reduce nitrate concentrations in the state's drinking water supplies. This directive follows the EPA's recent decision to resume its nationwide assessment of nitrates and nitrites in drinking water, a process that was suspended in 2018.